Our Blued Eyed Doll

Carole keeps getting cuter! Check out those baby blues!

Carole has officially gotten over her TERRIBLE TWO's (knock on wood) and we are still alive! She is still 2 years old, but these last few weeks she has been much easier to live with. The tantrums are not as often and they don't last near as long.

Riding Bikes

My parents just recently came for a visit and they brought Andrew a bike that they had gotten for free. Andrew didn't even know how to pedal last week, and now look at him!!


Here are some pictures of him learning how and then finally getting it.

































And of course, Carole got a bike too. She still cannot pedal, but it won't be long!

Bug Bites

One night after bath time I notice one of Andrew's eyes was a little swollen (nothing like these pictures). I thought nothing of it knowing that he had walked into a door that day. I thought it was just another battle wound. The next morning it was swollen a bit more. As the day progressed his eye nearly swelled shut and it stayed swollen for a few days. It was then that I deduced that it must have been a bug bite. The flies and mosquitoes are HORRIBLE this year. I don't remember them being this bad. This morning I took the kids to the park and ended up leaving because the mosquitoes were eating Carole alive. The poor girl has more red bites on her legs than healthy skin.

I just had to share these pictures of Andrew. He was so proud of his eye wanting to show it off to all. Just like a boy! His eye is now completely back to normal. Now we have new bites, bruises and cuts to show off. ;o)

A wateee, Mommy!

Carole loves water! She calls it "watee." She would play with the hose all day if I would let her. I hope the water bill isn't crazy high for the church this month! ;O)

Summer Fun

Okay, here are the sprinkler pictures I promised. Oh to be a kid again thinking that a sprinkler is the greatest thing in the world! ;o)

Last Week

Here are a few pictures from last week. Andrew and Carole got to ride on some rides at the annual Fish Days in Lake Andes.

Phil's parents came out for a visit and while they were here they allowed us to have our very first over night date since the children entered our lives. We went to Sioux Falls and did some shopping, saw the "Sioux Falls," and (of course)saw the new Indiana Jones movie. That day it was extremely windy out (40-50 mph gusts) so that is why we look "interesting."

I know I am no good at keeping this blog updated (read: it is going to be a fast and crazy summer here), but hang tight. I hope to get some more pictures uploaded in the next few days. Also, we got a new laptop and new photo editing software, so it is taking me awhile to figure out the ropes.

Bad Hair Day

I just had to share this picture with you all. I went to get Carole up from her afternoon nap today and this is what I found. LOL!! We didn't know she had that much hair on top!

Rubber Stamping

For those of you who don't know, when I have free time (which is not too often anymore), I love to make cards using rubber stamps. I was recently invited to join a kid card swap on www.splitcoaststampers.com (the website I frequent for card ideas using Stampin' Up! stamps). These are the two cards I contributed to the swap...






Thanks for looking! Ha! I just realized that I didn't even use any Stampin' Up! stamps on these cards!

What Kids Say

Did you know that Rice Krispies are Roast Beefies? At least that is what Andrew thinks. Carole calls all cereal "chips." "Momma, I wan chipths." And yes, everything with an "s" sound gets a "th" pronunciation from Carole.

Mother's Day from Andrew

I want to share this with you all. Andrew brought this home from preschool yesterday for me for mother's day. It is so funny! I think the teacher talked him through it and wrote in the blanks. The blue are his answers

MY MOM
She is as beautiful as a rainbow or rock.
She weighs 5 pounds and is very hungry.
Her favorite food is chocolates.
Her favorites T.V. show is a commercial.
She is 10 years old.
In the good old days, when my mom was little she used to play with her toys.
I think my mom is funny when she stretches.
My mom makes me happy when she tickles me.
I wish my mom would pick flowers with me everyday.
I wouldn't trade my mothers for butter, birds, worms.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Love, Andrew (he signed his own name)

Here is a scanned copy of what he brought home.

Pictures

The kids got there pictures done last month and we finally got to pick them up!

Here is our handsome boy full of "attitude".

I just LOVE this picture of them together! I thought it turned out so well. I can never get the two to them to sit still and smile at the same time.

Our little sweetie!

They both had to have sunglasses. Just so you all know, Carole picked her own out. She is very proud of her flowers.

We bought a swing this week and hung it on our clothes line pole. The kids love it! Now they fight over who gets a turn. ;-)

Crazy Weather

It has finally been nice out and the kids have been having a great time playing outside!









Until last Friday, April 25th.


We got hit with a blizzard! We ended up with 8 inches that day. It was impossible to drive anywhere. I know, because I tried. I could not even tell where the road was. Phil drove to the post office (two blocks from home) and went in the ditch because he could not see the road or his surroundings. It was strange because only two days before, my children were outside in their summer clothes and sandals. CRAZY! The next day it all melted. Today it is 72 degrees and bright and sunny. Guess what is in our forecast for this Friday. SNOW AGAIN! Lets hope it isn't as bad as last week. OH SPRING, WHERE ARE YOU?? I think the saying goes... "April showers bring May flowers." I didn't think it meant SNOW showers. :-)

It's Been a Long Time! continued...

Before I continue on, I just wanted to share some cute pictures of the kids. They have changed a lot since last November. ;-)

Carole and Andrew dressed for church on Sunday.

Our sweet Carole.

Our handsome dude!

March... Carole turned 2 on the 6th. She is most definitely in her terrible two's. She really keeps us busy. She is all girl, attitude and all. She is really into pink things and kitties.

Carole admiring her pink kitty cake.

Opening her new baby from Papa and Nana.

Andrew picked out this fairy costume for Carole for her birthday. She thought she was so "beautiful" and big brother was pleased that she liked what he got her.

Along with Carole turning two came the annual allergy testing. For those of you who don't know, Carole was diagnosed with a peanut allergy when she turned one. We took her back to be retested in hopes that she had grown out of it. Sadly, she hadn't. She still had a reaction and we also found out that the reason her cheeks are always rosy red is because we are not a peanut free house. Even though we are not feeding her peanuts or things made with peanuts she was still have reactions. We had no clue it was her allergy. She always get red, dry cheeks in the winter, especially when she is cutting teeth. So the allergist put her on an antibiotic to get rid of the infection and we got rid of our peanut items and lo and behold, her face has healed.

While we were in the big town for Carole's appointment we got to see the easter bunny at the mall. Carole was obsessed with it and followed it around.

Carole and her baby all dressed up. I found that cute dress for her at Shopko and it came with a matching one for a doll. She loves it!

Here is a typical scene in our house lately. Super A chasing little sis around. :-)

Here is another typical scene. Andrew and Carole love watching TV together.

Well, that pretty much updates you up till now. There is so much more I could write about (Andrew's imaginary new imaginary friends, Carole's fear of bodily excretions...) but naptime is almost over and then my zoo will come back to life. Thanks for being patient with me and this boring blog!